Heat on Corey Norman to be electric Eel

FOR Corey Norman, so much has changed in the past 12 months yet he is in pretty much the same position as 2012 when he started that season with immense promise.

He is, I still believe, a future Queensland Origin No.6 but he has much to learn, as most 22-year-old footballers do.

It is now six weeks since Parramatta announced Norman would be joining them in 2014 as their first-choice five-eighth.

He was disappointed he didn't get the No.6 position at the Broncos this year.

Corey was still finding his feet as an NRL fullback when he signed and he has since played some terrific football.

Maybe he is more relaxed because the decision has been made. For some players it is a load off their shoulders to have the pressure of the negotiations over.

I do a little work with some of the Broncos players. Before he signed with Parramatta, I was keen to know where his head was at, but concluded he wanted to go to the Eels, and if that was what he wanted, then good luck to him.

The Eels have a way to go to be a consistent force in this competition. Ricky Stuart has said as much and I reckon Corey would know it by now.

Parramatta were poor against Penrith two rounds ago and better against the Cowboys. Consistency will be a challenge this season.

Corey will have to go to Parramatta willing to undergo a tough period in which he has to develop himself as a No.6 and as a leader.

I don't know if he will enjoy his football as much as he is at the Broncos. It will be a time for perseverance and also belief in what his coach is trying to put into place around him.

Ricky is an intense football person. Corey will need to understand how to work with Ricky and develop during the pre-season as the sort of player and man the coach wants in such a key position.

Eels fans will have big expectations of what Corey can do for them and I can see him taking some time to find his feet.

Playing fullback now is not so much about finishing opportunities, but creating them. Out wide, Corey has been able to make the most of those block plays and he is also taking the line on.

He has made a few mistakes under the high ball and his team needs him to rectify those problems. Those errors can be costly because most of them are on your own tryline.

Playing No.1 for the Broncos this year is not a bad thing for Corey.

He can learn from Peter Wallace and Scott Prince in the main playmaking roles.

A fullback can be the difference in an NRL game. But a half needs to know how to be his side's general.

While he might lose a few games with Parra next year, he will do well to ask himself: "Why did we lose? What do we need to do better this week?"

Tonight, I expect Corey to be on the winning side.

The Broncos lost control of the game against South Sydney last Friday night in a 10-minute period in the second half through a lack of intensity, which could be seen in their defence and their kick-chase.

Souths showed what can happen against the top sides if you drop your guard for any period of time in an arm wrestle-type contest.